print add to favorites

Heavy Backpacks

Source: The Need Project
Topics: Preteen Years (9-13), Great Science Fair Project Ideas

Grade Levels:
4-6

Background:
Doctors say it isn’t healthy for students to carry more than ten percent of their weight in their backpacks.

Question:
Are the students in your school carrying too much weight in their backpacks?

Possible Hypotheses:
Students are/are not carrying too much weight in their backpacks.

Materials:
Weight scale

Procedure:

  1. Make a chart with the names of all the students in your class, as shown.
  2. Weigh all of the students in your class and calculate ten percent of their weight. Record this on the chart.
  3. Weigh all of the student backpacks before they go home every day for a week. Record the weights on the chart.
  4. Circle the backpacks that are overweight.

Analysis and Conclusion:
How many students in the class carry overweight backpacks? Is it a major problem? Talk to your classmates and teacher about ways to remedy the problem.

See all 21 comments ยป

Take an action

  • this article with friends and family.
  • Have a question about Preteen Years (9-13)? Ask it here.
  • Publish your work on education.com.
21 comments

Comments from readers

  1. Apr 23, 2008
    carolina gonzalez says:
    How long will it take to finish the project about Heavy Backpacks.  About how much money do the materials cost.  Send me the answers as soon as possible.
    P.S. Try sending them befor next week!
     
     
    Sincerily,
    Carolina Gonzalez
  2. May 1, 2008
    john says:
    MY MOM MAKE ME DO IT
  3. May 3, 2008
    lynna says:
    i am going to do this project for my science fair . hopefully i get first place
  4. May 6, 2008
    vanessa says:
    what if you feel bad for the kids that are overweight themselves and youhave to way them!
  5. Jun 12, 2008
    sydney says:
    i like the ideas but they are to easy.
  6. Sep 9, 2008
    celie says:
    this sis way to ez to be 4-6 gr level :(
  7. Oct 3, 2008
    michael fonteno says:
    im stupid
  8. Nov 9, 2008
    hot trini says:
    i bet you are michael fonteno.
  9. Nov 17, 2008
    SHAWANNAODOM says:
    I LIKE DIZ THIS IS GREAT 4 KIDS
  10. Nov 17, 2008
    Anonymous says:
    yup we carry too much weight in our backpacks every day....
    so teachers should not let us to much homework!!!!!! no more than 2 text books...... this should be a law for every school....
    or  school policy! =)
  11. Nov 18, 2008
    kaiyanna says:
    this is a great expereriment you guys and girls rock!
  12. Nov 19, 2008
    Anonymous says:
    This project is so cool
  13. Nov 19, 2008
    R3b3ld3 says:
    I think i may try it
  14. Nov 20, 2008
    alyssa says:
    this is so different but cool .
  15. Nov 21, 2008
    SAVAGE says:
    THIS IS SO SAVAGE
  16. Nov 22, 2008
    DMoney says:
    yall stupid i might try it
  17. Nov 23, 2008
    Hello Bob says:
    Girls are so hot!
  18. Nov 24, 2008
    baby j says:
    dis sound so stupid  i might try it
  19. Nov 28, 2008
    Cloe says:
    This is my first Science Fair.
  20. Dec 1, 2008
    ty says:
    i like this projet becauce it it very fun
  21. Dec 1, 2008
    princess says:
    baby j is crazy he is saying that the project is stupid and that he will try it out. your project is so cool I love it

Add your own comment

Have a question?

To share your personal experience or ask advice from our community, please start a discussion
Post Comment